Chapter 128

Chapter 128
Chapter 128: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Lion continued to produce butterflies.

As this process repeated, a natural rhythm developed, cutting down the time needed for each creation and lending the insects an even more lifelike appearance.

Consequently…

“Hmm. Good.”

Inside the sanctuary, brightly colored butterflies flitted about busily, adding vibrant hues to the surrounding foliage.

Meanwhile, resting on Lion’s palm, a single butterfly sat poised, ready for flight.

“You’re the final one.”

Lion set aside the damp brush, giving it a gentle breath to dry the surface. Moments later, the insect’s wings began to stir, carrying it upward to join the rest of the swarm.

The earlier arrivals circled in the air a few times, as though welcoming the newest addition.

The scene bore such a striking resemblance to Rikschel—someone who had only ever known protection—that a faint smirk touched Lion’s lips.

Of course, the exact circumstances remained a mystery…

Regardless, the display of such endearing defiance implied a healthy underlying bond.

At any rate, thanks to the swarm, there was no longer any need to dash across this sprawling expanse individually.

“The water levels have risen quite noticeably, too.”

While not entirely sufficient yet, the steady pooling at the edges suggested that with just a little more effort from Rikschel, the sanctuary’s completion would be achieved in no time.

“Still, a quick patrol is in order to make sure no dry patches were missed.”

Lion filled a watering can from the sanctuary’s supply to an appropriate level and began a leisurely stroll.

Where the ground had previously resembled a dry plaster sculpture, it was now damp and yielding like rich topsoil. The diligent butterflies had even caused dew to collect on the blades of grass, causing Lion’s shoes to splash softly with each step.

“Not bad at all.”

Further inspection seemed entirely unnecessary.

It was almost as though filling the watering can had been an empty gesture.

Just as Lion prepared to turn back…

“Hmm?”

An unusual sensation caught Lion’s attention.

‘The soil and flora in this sector have already taken in all the moisture they can hold…’

Yet the butterflies refused to land.

In truth, they remained airborne, continuing their flight paths.

‘Which implies there is still a sector awaiting hydration somewhere.’

Lifting the gaze away from the ground, Lion focused intently on the destination of the insects, a realization dawning shortly after.

The butterflies were steadily ferrying water toward one specific location.

Not just a select few, but every single butterfly Lion had conjured!

‘Could there be vegetation that consumes this sheer volume of water?’

From Lion’s viewpoint, the greenery required far less moisture than what was currently being delivered.

At the very least, that was how the sanctuary’s mechanics functioned.

Even so, the insects felt compelled to carry out their task.

Yet, despite the combined efforts of the entire swarm, it still fell short?

Naturally, Lion’s footsteps gravitated toward that exact spot…

The location was eventually discovered.

Though calling it a discovery might be stretching the truth.

“This is…”

To put it plainly, it was an ordinary tree.

However, its base featured a hollow large enough for a small creature to crawl inside.

The butterflies were bustling in and out of the cavity, diligently depositing their cargo one by one.

‘Given that water functions as the life force within this sanctuary…’

That equated to supplying nourishment.

Lion peered closely into the shadowy interior, partially blocked by the tree’s canopy.

“There is definitely something in there.”

The complication lay elsewhere.

‘Burrows of this nature typically house fauna rather than flora.’

Creatures like raccoons, foxes, or rabbits come to mind.

Yet, nothing outside of plant life was ever rumored to inhabit the sanctuary.

Had animals been present, Rikschel surely would have issued a warning prior to its completion.

Even minor wildlife could introduce complications.

Such as an unexpected bite.

‘Which means…’

It also meant Rikschel remained entirely unaware.

“So, who might you be?”

Squatting before the opening, Lion stared directly into the darkness.

By now, perhaps sensing Lion’s arrival, the butterflies had ceased their trips inside, instead alighting gently upon the tree’s foliage.

With the cessation of their delicate wingbeats, the immediate vicinity grew completely still.

Even nature itself fell silent.

‘Right, let’s give it a moment.’

The entity residing within the cavity was undoubtedly a living creature… specifically, an animal.

Yet, the absolute quiet suggested it had frozen upon catching sight of an intruder.

Considering the restricted dimensions of the hollow, its physical size must have been quite small.

At most, perhaps slightly larger than Nature.

Naturally, the sudden appearance of a human would induce tension.

Lion settled down directly onto the ground.

Whatever the circumstances, it had somehow ended up trapped here.

Perhaps it had sought refuge in the hollow, failed to find an exit, and subsequently exhausted its stamina.

Failing a rescue and extraction right now, its life would likely end in this very spot.

Therefore, the appropriate course of action involved soothing the beast as much as possible, pulling it out safely, and releasing it.

However.

‘Hmm… isn’t it a bit too quiet?’

The interior remained too dark to discern any physical features.

A severe state of dehydration resulting in this kind of unresponsiveness would present a serious issue.

Furthermore.

‘The silence from Nature is rather unsettling.’

It displayed neither its customary indifference nor its usual annoyed “pee-” sound.

‘Surely not.’

Casting a brief glance toward Rikschel’s position, Lion channeled mana directly into his gaze.

『The ‘Expert’s Eye’ skill is temporarily enhanced.』

‘Whew.’

While doubts lingered regarding its functionality within the sanctuary, those concerns proved unfounded.

Additionally, the warning message from earlier failed to materialize.

Blinking a few times, Lion carefully scrutinized the hollow’s interior, unearthing an unexpected sight.

No animals were present…

Only a massive, rounded object occupied the space.

‘This is.’

Reaching into the recess without hesitation, Lion carefully gripped the spherical item and drew it out.

It turned out to be… an egg.

Furthermore, a peculiar specimen, split evenly between white and deep purple.

One side even featured a delicate flower pattern.

To an outsider, it might have resembled a heavily decorated giant ostrich egg, but…

Lion possessed the ability to see the truth.

『Mysterious Egg』

-What will hatch?

-This location appears ill-suited for the egg’s survival.

“Hmm.”

Despite the explicit label of ‘Mysterious Egg’, the underlying meaning was unmistakable.

Lion had encountered a similar item previously through Barg.

Namely, ‘Baby Food for Evil Beasts’.

『Upon opening, nearby evil influence may be drawn to you by the scent!』

And contrary to popular rumors, evil influence did not denote a ferocious beast roaming the Demon Realm.

It simply referred to a lifeform possessing exceptional adaptability, capable of thriving even within hostile environments like the Demon Realm.

Consequently, survival inside the sanctuary should theoretically be feasible.

If that held true.

Lion inspected the egg once more.

『Due to the enhancement of the ‘Expert’s Eye’ skill, accurate information is grasped.』

『Evil Beast’s Egg』

-This is an Evil Beast’s Egg imbued with divine power.

-It clings to life with stubborn tenacity, though its limits are approaching rapidly. Please provide this egg with a proper home.

-Perhaps it is the very entity that traveled this far to locate you.

“This is…”

Though Lion’s lips parted, no immediate words followed as the egg was lifted.

As anticipated, it proved to be an Evil Beast’s Egg.

The description also confirmed it as a being that had sought Lion out.

‘An eventual meeting was always expected…’

Yet the sanctuary of a temple was the last place the encounter was ever imagined to take place.

Neither party understood the mechanism that had brought it here.

It must have simply endured against the odds.

‘Perhaps its identity will become clear once it hatches.’

Evil influences are known to possess considerable intelligence from birth, inheriting memories from both the egg stage and their ancestors.

‘If so, the parents of this one…’

Stood a high probability of being Druid partners.

‘Given these developments, a departure should probably be planned soon.’

Even with its formidable vitality preventing any overnight catastrophes, maintaining maximum distance from concentrated divine power remained the wisest course.

Even for a species capable of ‘inhabiting anywhere’, the ‘temple’ represented the polar opposite of its nature.

If such environments were suitable, separating divine beasts from evil influences would serve no purpose.

‘Besides, Nature doesn’t seem to have alternative leads.’

Had any existed, Nature would have sensed them first and guided the way.

“It’s going to be fine.”

Stroking Nature, who still rested weakly atop his head, Lion wrapped the Evil Beast’s Egg in fabric crafted from ‘Benevolent Love’ material before stowing it away in the inventory.

This measure would minimize the adverse effects of the surrounding divine power.

‘Since an immediate departure is impossible…’

Even following the completion of the sanctuary, at least one full day must be spent here.

As these thoughts crossed Lion’s mind, an upward glance revealed…

“…”

Rikschel slowly rose to his feet, feeling as though every ounce of divine power within his body had been expended.

The premonition had been accurate; the eternal flame had evidently lent substantial aid this time around.

Lifting eyelids previously sealed tight in deep concentration…

“Ah!”

Rikschel’s expression brightened instantly.

The nearly depleted spring water bubbled forth in abundance, filling the channels as the refreshing sound of flowing streams echoed through the air!

That was not the entirety of the change.

The surrounding vegetation flourished with lush greenery, while life force and vitality pulsed through the environment!

A subtle, refined fragrance characteristic of fresh growth permeated the sanctuary.

It matched the exact condition of every other completed sanctuary!

‘The Righteous Person pulled it off!’

The ordeal must have been exceptionally grueling.

How much hardship had been endured while traversing this massive space entirely alone?

…No, this was no time for distractions!

Unwatered pockets might still remain.

Grasping the remaining watering can filled to the brim, Rikschel pivoted to scan for any lingering petrified zones.

However.

Fwip-!

“…What is the meaning of this?”

Rikschel’s gaze landed upon an anomaly that had no business being there.

A green butterfly.

Life could not take root within a sanctuary.

Regrettably, priests channeling divine power lacked the capability to generate mobile entities inside such a domain.

Consequently, the sanctuary remained a space exclusively reserved for plant life and priests.

Yet a butterfly stood before him?

‘The chances of it originating from the outside are slim…’

A reinforced barrier of divine power had been established precisely to repel all external lifeforms.

‘…No way.’

The Righteous Person. Or could it be the Messenger of God?

Rikschel stared blankly at the insect before taking a slow step forward.

And the initial hypothesis proved entirely correct.

A multitude of brightly colored butterflies clustered atop an exceptionally tall tree, centered around the Righteous Person, who lowered their head in a posture of prayer before gradually raising it.

The posture mirrored the silhouette witnessed in the dream.

The shade of hair cascading past the shoulder matched as well…

A striking yellow.

“…, Righteous Person?”

Rikschel uttered the name in a tone of utter captivation.

“Ah, Reverend Father. It appears you have finished.”

Oblivious to Rikschel’s stunned state, Lion swiftly stowed the egg into the inventory and turned around.

The complication arose immediately after.

The active duration of ‘My Perfect Child’ had lapsed.

In other words.

The distinct purple eyes belonging to the Asteri Family stood fully exposed.